Live Oak, Florida
Wanda knows there is power in numbers. Over the last 30 years, each 1 of her platelet donations has helped save 3 lives. Multiply that by the 723 times she has sat in the donor chair – that’s more than 90 gallons donated – and you get 2,169 lives touched by her generosity.
Wanda’s grandfather had cancer, a good friend battled lung cancer, another a brain tumor. Donating blood and platelets has become her way of giving back and honoring those she loves.
“I started with whole blood, and then one of the phlebotomists asked me if I’d be interested in donating platelets. She told me about all the benefits, how it helps cancer patients and everything. So, I decided I might as well try it.”
-Wanda
She made a day out of her regular trips to give platelets, stopping for hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts on the way there, watching a movie while she donated, grabbing lunch on the way home.
“Most people don’t donate blood or platelets, so it’s just my way of being unique, I guess,” Wanda said. “It’s just something I can do to help others.”
A recent health scare has left Wanda unable to donate right now, but she remains hopeful that her goal giving 100 gallons in honor of her loved ones is still attainable. With a little help from people like you choosing to share their power too, those 77 donations will be collected in no time! But, who’s counting?
